Packaging for Puzzles or Board Games and an Assembly of such a Packaging and the Objects Forming Part of a Puzzle or Board Game

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a packaging for puzzles and board games, comprising: two co-acting box parts, a bottom part and a cover part, wherein at least one of the box parts is provided with a flat side and a plurality of side walls connecting to the periphery of the flat side, which side walls are pivotable. The invention further relates to an assembly of such a packaging and the objects forming part of a puzzle or board game.

The present invention relates to a packaging for puzzles and board games and to an assembly comprising such a packaging, puzzle pieces and/or board game pieces.

Jigsaw puzzles are done by many people in many countries. The object of a jigsaw puzzle is to put together puzzle pieces in a logical manner. When the jigsaw puzzle is completed, a determined image can often be seen. Particularly in the case of large and complicated puzzles there is a desire to save the completed puzzle. The completed puzzle is then not taken apart again but can be used as wall decoration, for instance as a painting. For this purpose the puzzle pieces are for instance glued onto a flat base, such as a cardboard or wooden base. It is also possible to fix the puzzle pieces onto the base using magnets. When it is the wish to use the completed puzzle as wall decoration, there is often also a desire to arrange an edging around the completed puzzle so that a painting is as it were formed. It is particularly desirable for this edging to be formed by a frame, for instance a frame comparable to or giving the impression of a picture frame.

In the case of board games there is often also a desire for a relatively large game board. Foldable game boards are usually applied for this purpose, or use is made of relatively large, separately usable game boards. Envisage here for instance a chessboard or draughtsboard. In addition to edgings in the case of puzzles, there is often also a need in the case of board games to arrange an edging around the periphery of the game board. The edge of the game board can be strengthened with an edging and objects forming part of the board game, such as chips, (playing) cards and the like, can for instance be positioned by means of an edging. Game information can for instance also be provided by means of the edging. It may further also be desirable to arrange an edging along the periphery of a board game from an aesthetic viewpoint.

Puzzles and game boards with edgings are already known in the prior art. A drawback here is that an edging has to be arranged afterwards or already forms part of a base/game board, which is however bulky as a result and has to be purchased and handled as separate component. A case, box, bag or other type of packaging usually forms a holder for the puzzle or the objects (chips, pawns, playing cards, dice etc.) forming part of the board game. A base for the puzzle or the game board is then supplied separately of the holder since they are usually too voluminous to be received in the case, box, bag or other type of packaging. If it is desired to mount a completed puzzle on a base, the packaging of the puzzle pieces can then be discarded or stored away.

The present invention has for its object to provide a base/game board of the above described type which is provided with an edging but which does not have the prior art drawbacks, or does so only to lesser extent.

The present invention provides for this purpose a packaging for puzzles or board games, comprising: two co-acting box parts, a bottom part and a cover part, wherein at least one of the box parts is provided with a flat side and a plurality of side walls connecting to the periphery of the flat side, which side walls are pivotable about the connecting lines of the side walls to the flat side between at least an upright state (A) and a flat state (B) in which the side walls lie in the plane of the flat side of the box part, and wherein at least one of the side walls is provided with an edging part which is located at a distance from the connecting line to the flat side and which, in the flat state (B) wherein said side wall lies in a plane with the flat side, protrudes relative to the plane through the flat side and the side wall. In a specific embodiment variant at least one of the box parts has a rectangular flat side, to the peripheral sides of which four side walls connect pivotally. The side walls are rotatable/pivotable here about the connecting lines of the side walls to the flat side of the box part, usually in that the connecting lines take a weakened form for this purpose (weakened is relative here in relation to the strength of the flat side and the side walls). The side walls are provided with protruding (integrated) edging parts.

Using the above described packaging it is thus possible using at least one of the box parts of the packaging according to the invention to form a puzzle carrier (puzzle surface) or game board by converting said box part from a flat side with upright side walls to a flat unit of flat side and side walls (these side walls are after all pivoted (downward) until they lie in the plane of the flat side). Not only does this create a flat carrier/a flat game board, but this latter is also already provided with an edging part or possibly even a plurality of edging parts, or a closed edging. A separate carrier/separate game board with edgings or a foldable game board/foldable puzzle carrier is therefore no longer necessary. One of the box parts can be used for this purpose. It is moreover no longer necessary to store or discard one of the box parts or a plurality of box parts, they become functional instead. This therefore results in a more efficient use of material. The chance of puzzle pieces or objects forming part of a board game unintentionally being separated from the carrier/the game board (in other words, of one of the two being “lost”) is moreover considerably smaller than in the prior art. Both in a packaged state, which corresponds to the upright state (A), and in the flat state (B)—which flat state (B) can for instance also be referred to as a state of use, a game state, a puzzle state or a decorative state—the individual game objects/puzzle pieces and at least one of the box parts are unified with each other. It is noted that the box parts can be manufactured from a material of choice or a combination of different materials of choice. Readily usable materials are, among others, paper, cardboard, wood, plastic or a combination thereof.

It is advantageous when all side walls of at least one box part are provided with edging parts; in the flat state (B) an edging is hereby already provided over a substantial part of the periphery of said flat box part. The advantage of the presence of an edging has already been described with reference to the prior art carriers/game boards provided with an edging, although according to the present invention these can thus also be combined with a carrier/game board formed by at least one box part. It is possible for at least one edging part to be embodied as segment of a frame, for instance by a specific imprint or a specific choice of material for the edging part/the edging parts. Such an edging part/such edging parts can vary in colour, thickness, size and in other ways, and can be manufactured from a material composition as desired.

When the edging parts are embodied to resemble picture frame parts, this can give the impression that the assembled puzzle with edging forms a painting.

In order to function as packaging it is desirable for the bottom part and the cover part to be dimensioned such that, during co-action of the box parts and in the upright state (A) of the side walls, the side walls of one of the box parts engage round the upright side walls of the box part co-acting therewith. They can thus co-act in simple manner. This is also possible with side walls provided with an edging part; only in the relative dimensioning of the box parts does this have to be taken into account (in order to compensate for the one or more edging parts there will have to be a greater difference than usual between two box parts when the side walls are provided with an edging part facing toward the periphery of the box part).

In a specific variant the packaging also comprises filler segments which, in the flat state (B) in which the side walls lie in the plane of the flat side of a box part, can be mounted between two adjoining side walls such that the flat side, the side walls and the filler segments together form a rectangular, flat carrier. It is noted here that the assembly of side walls, flat side and filler segments can of course also have a form other than rectangular in the flat state (B). Envisage here for instance filler segments with rounded corners or other specific form variants which can in turn be employed for the purpose of a specific presentation of an assembled puzzle or for a game board with additional design options.

It is desirable that the filler segments are also provided with edging parts located at a distance from the flat side such that in the mounted and flat state (B) they connect to the edging parts of the side walls and such that all edging parts together form a substantially continuous edging extending along the periphery of the rectangular carrier. If all side walls are also provided with edging parts, a fully closed edging can thus be assembled with all edging parts together.

In a specific variant the filler segments are connected pivotally to a box part and cannot therefore become separated from the box part, and the filler segments can be positioned relatively easily in the flat state (B). It is on the other hand also possible to embody the filler segments such that, in the flat state (B) of a box part, they can be coupled releasably to the associated box part. The reason for opting for this variant is that it may be cheaper to produce and that it is also possible to opt to have differing filler segments form part of a packaging so that different filler segments can be selected according to the situation. Envisage here for instance a game board wherein one or more filler segments are varied subject to the progress of the game.

To enable locking of the flat state, it is possible to provide a box part with mounting means for unifying the flat side, the side walls and the insert parts in the flat state. It is for instance possible here to envisage measures, either independently or in combination, such as adhesive strips, slide-in material strips, strips for sliding over the periphery of a flat box part, and so on.

In order to also enable fixing of the puzzle pieces or the objects forming part of a board game in a desired orientation on the flat carrier formed by the components of the box part, it is possible for at least one of the components of a box part, a side wall, the flat side or a filler segment, to be provided with fixing means. Such fixing means can for instance comprise an adhesive, although it is noted here that fixing means are also understood to mean protrusions and/or recesses adapted to position components of a box part in a desired orientation. Yet another option consists of also providing a box part with coupling means to enable hanging of the flat box part.

The present invention also provides an assembly of a packaging as described above with the objects forming part of a puzzle or board game. For the advantages of such an assembly reference is made to the above already described advantages in respect of the packaging according to the present invention. An as yet unstated advantage of such an assembly is however that it is also possible to package the box parts and the objects forming part of a puzzle or board game in a flat state, whereby they take up a relatively limited volume. Storage and transport of the assemblies is thus easier and cheaper. This also provides new possibilities. Owing to the flat assembly thereof a puzzle with box parts in flat state can (provided it takes a sufficiently small form) for instance also be sent as a standard postal item. This provides additional commercial possibilities for puzzles and board games.

Yet another variant enables assembly of an extra-large carrier/an extra-large game board by being able to mutually connect at least two box parts to form a combined flat carrier/flat game board. It is desirable for this purpose that at least one of the box parts is provided with coupling means for flat coupling of said box part to a second box part in flat state. Another option for assembling an extra-large carrier/an extra-large game board can be provided by giving at least one of the box parts a multi-layer form, this such that the multiple layers of the box part can be detached from each other and can be coupled in connecting flat state. It is thus possible with a double-layer box part to form a flat surface which is roughly twice as large as with a single-layer box part. It is further also noted that the combination of the possibilities of mutually connecting two box parts and the multi-layer box part as described above can result in an even further increase in the usable flat surface. Sufficiently large carriers can for instance thus also be formed for puzzles with several thousand puzzle pieces.

Yet another option for assembling an extra-large carrier/an extra-large game board can be provided by giving at least the side walls of one of the box parts a multi-layer form, this such that the multiple layers are pivotable relative to each other about a connecting line between the different layers of the side walls. In such an embodiment at least one of the layers of the side wall can be provided with coupling means adapted to form a coupling construction with the adjoining side wall in the upright state (A). In such an embodiment at least one of the layers of the side wall more preferably comprises coupling means adapted to form a coupling construction with a filler segment in the flat state (B).

Yet another possibility is that the two co-acting box parts are formed integrally from one material part. This embodiment is even more economical in terms of material usage and results in an even more compact overall product.

The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein:

FIG. 1 shows a box part of a packaging according to the invention in two different states;

FIG. 2 shows the box part of FIG. 1 wherein a completed puzzle is placed within the edging;

FIGS. 3A-3D show an alternative embodiment variant of a box part of a packaging according to the invention in different states; and

FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment variant wherein the co-acting box parts are integrally formed from one material part.

FIG. 1 shows a box part 1 of a packaging for a puzzle in a state with upright side walls 2. Side walls 2 are pivotable about connecting lines 3 with which side walls 2 are connected to a flat central part 4 (the flat side 4) of box part 1. Also shown is that side walls 2 are provided with edging parts 5 facing toward the interior of the box part, which edging parts 5 do not have a function in this first state but need not impede proper functioning of the box part in this first state.

The large arrow P₁ represents the transition of box part 1 to a second state in which box part 1′ changes from the first state with upright side walls 2 to a second state with flat edging parts 5. Side walls 2′ are pivoted here around connecting lines 3′ until they lie in one plane with flat side 4 of box part 1′. Box part 1′ in the second flat state thus forms carrier 1′ on which puzzle pieces 6 can be placed. The purpose of the above stated edging parts 5 now becomes apparent. These edging parts 5 protrude to a limited extent above the flat carrier formed by flat side 4 and side walls 2′. Puzzle pieces 6 can therefore be positioned nicely against edging parts 5. Another possibility also shown to a limited extent in this figure is that of providing an edging part 5 with a “puzzle structure” in the form of puzzle recesses 7 and puzzle protrusions 8. An even firmer coupling between puzzle pieces 6 and an edging part 5 can thus be obtained. Reference is also made within the context of FIG. 1 to the decorative character (here of the “picture frame” type) which can be given to edging parts 5. It is of course also possible to opt for a different design, such as the puzzle image continuing into the edging part.

In this FIG. 1 box part 1′ has an assembled form which is rectangular. Insert parts 9 are placed for this purpose in the corners adjacently of side walls 2′ and flat side 4. Similarly to side walls 2′, insert parts 9 are also provided with edging parts 10. These edging parts 10 of insert parts 9 connect to the edging parts of walls 2′ such that together they form a closed edging round the periphery of box part 1′. Insert parts 9 are attached here as loose components to the rear side (not shown) of box part 1′ using adhesive strips 11 (shown with broken lines). It is however also possible to opt for another coupling construction as desired (for instance a tongue-groove connection), or insert parts 9 can be connected pivotally on one side to one side wall 2′ at a time.

FIG. 2 shows an assembly 20 of a box part of which only the edging 21 is visible in which a fully completed puzzle 22 is arranged. Puzzle pieces 23 are coupled form-fittingly here such that they will not detach from edging 21, even in a vertical state of assembly 20. It is for instance possible for this purpose to opt for a form-fitting coupling of puzzle pieces 23 to edging 21, although an adhesive layer—not visible here—can also be arranged. Edging 23 is further provided with an opening 24 with which assembly 20 can be hung from a suspending element 25.

FIG. 3A shows a blank 30 of an alternative embodiment variant of a box part 31 of a packaging according to the invention. Side walls 32 are once again connected for pivoting about connecting lines 33 to a flat central part 34 (flat side 34) of box part 31. In contrast to the embodiment variant of box part 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, side walls 32 in the variant of box part 31 shown in FIGS. 3A-3D are constructed in each case from two side wall segments 35, 36; 37, 38. The two adjoining side wall segments 35, 36; 37, 38 of each side wall 32 are mutually connected for pivoting about connecting lines 39, 40. Corner parts 42 can be placed releasably between two adjoining side walls 32.

FIG. 3B shows box part 31 provided with a printing on which a puzzle can be laid but wherein a part of side walls 32 is also folded inward. The two side wall segments 35, 36; 37, 38 of each side wall 32 have already been pivoted about connecting lines 39, 40 such that they lie flat against each other. Shown here is that side wall segments 36 are considerably smaller than the adjoining side wall segments 35, so that a part of these side wall segments 35 is still visible. The side wall segments 38 are roughly the same size as the adjoining side wall segments 37, so that the side wall segments 37 are almost invisible in FIG. 3B. Corner parts 42 are not shown in this figure; these have already been detached and, when box part 31 is assembled, can be placed in box part 41 together with for instance the puzzle pieces or other game elements.

In FIG. 3C two of the inward folded side walls 32 are pivoted upward about connecting lines 33 such that they now lie substantially perpendicularly of central part 34. FIG. 3D shows that side walls 32 are provided with co-acting profile rings 43, 44 with which adjoining side walls 32 can be coupled form-fittingly to each other. The advantage of this embodiment variant of box part 31 is that, compared to the variant of box part 1 as shown in FIG. 1, a large puzzle area or game board can still be created with a relatively smaller box part 31. It is thus for instance also possible to assemble only one, two or three of the walls from two side wall segments connected pivotally to each other. Yet another variant is to assemble a side wall segment from three, or more than three, side wall segments connected pivotally to each other.

FIG. 4 shows a blank g of an embodiment of the present invention in which the two co-acting box parts, the bottom part c and the cover part f, are manufactured integrally from one material part. The shown embodiment relates to a puzzle, although this embodiment can also be applied to a board game. The figure shows that a bottom part, formed by the flat central part c and side walls b, is integrally formed with and thus fixedly connected to a cover flap f. The connection between the bottom part and the cover part is a fold line a. The edging parts e extend over the side walls b of bottom part c as well as over the corner parts d and the cover flap f. 

1. A packaging for puzzles or board games, comprising: two co-acting box parts, a bottom part and a cover part, wherein at least one of the box parts is provided with a flat side and a plurality of side walls connecting to the periphery of the flat side, which side walls are pivotable about the connecting lines of the side walls to the flat side between at least an upright state (A) and a flat state (B) in which the side walls lie in the plane of the flat side of the box part, and wherein at least one of the side walls is provided with an edging part which is located at a distance from the connecting line to the flat side and which, in the flat state (B) wherein said side wall lies in a plane with the flat side, protrudes relative to the plane through the flat side and the side wall.
 2. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the box parts comprises a rectangular flat side, to the sides of which four side walls connect pivotally.
 3. The packaging as claimed in claim 2, wherein all side walls of one box part are provided with edging parts.
 4. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one edging part is embodied as segment of a frame.
 5. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom part and the cover part are dimensioned such that, during co-action of the box parts and in the upright state (A) of the side walls, the side walls of one of the box parts engage round the upright side walls of the box part co-acting therewith.
 6. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging also comprises filler segments which, in the flat state (B) in which the side walls lie in the plane of the flat side of a box part, can be mounted between two adjoining side walls such that the flat side, the side walls and the filler segments together form a rectangular, flat carrier.
 7. The packaging as claimed in claim 6, wherein the filler segments are also provided with edging parts located at a distance from the flat side such that in the mounted and flat state (B) they connect to the edging parts of the side walls and such that all edging parts together form a substantially continuous edging extending along the periphery of the rectangular carrier.
 8. The packaging as claimed in claim 6, wherein the filler segments are connected pivotally to a box part.
 9. The packaging as claimed in claim 6, wherein in the flat state (B) of a box part the filler segments can be coupled releasably to said box part.
 10. The packaging as claimed in claim 6, wherein a box part is provided with mounting means for unifying the flat side, the side walls and the insert parts in the flat state.
 11. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the components of a box part, a side wall, the flat side or a filler segment, is provided with fixing means for fixing objects, such as for instance puzzle pieces, in a desired position on the flat carrier formed by the components of the box part.
 12. The packaging as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fixing means comprise an adhesive.
 13. The packaging as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fixing means comprise protrusions and/or recesses.
 14. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the box parts are manufactured at least partially from paper, cardboard, wood or plastic.
 15. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the box parts is provided with coupling means for flat coupling of said box part to a second box part in flat state.
 16. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the box parts takes a multi-layer form and the multiple layers of the box part can be detached from each other and can be coupled in connecting flat state.
 17. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the side walls takes a multi-layer form and the multiple layers are pivotable relative to each other about a connecting line between the different layers of the side walls.
 18. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two co-acting box parts are formed integrally from one material part.
 19. The packaging as claimed in claim 1, further including objects forming part of a puzzle or board game.
 20. The packaging as claimed in claim 19, wherein the box parts and the objects forming part of a puzzle or board game are packaged in a flat state. 